FSM Essential Recap: Rebels vs. Rams Game 6

FSM Essential Recap: UNLV vs Colorado State Game 6

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UNLV (1-5) vs. Colorado State (7-2)

 

UNLV falls to Colorado State in a nail biter.

 

The Runnin’ Rebels played their first game in over a month, 33 days to be exact, when they traveled to play the Colorado State Rams.

There was no rust and strong energy from the Rebs, but they fell 74-71. UNLV now falls to 1-5 on the season after losing their first Mountain West Conference game of the season. Colorado State continues their hot start improving their record to 7-2.

 

A game which the star players for both teams did not disappoint.

 

Thursday night’s matchup between the Runnin’ Rebels and the Rams was a game heavily relied on the best scoring options from both teams. UNLV only had seven points off the bench all coming from freshman Nicquel Blake while Colorado State only had 12 with 10 of them coming from Dischon Thomas. Both teams shot the ball decently throughout the entire game with both teams resulting in the same shooting percentage. However, a big difference came in the three point shooting. UNLV shot 28 percent from beyond the arc compared to Colorado State’s 40 percent.

UNLV were led by none other than Bryce Hamilton, who led the Runnin’ Rebels with 23 points. Although he led the team in scoring he was not effective from three shooting 2-10 from deep. David Jenkins Jr. shot just 2-11 from the field finishing with 11 points. Caleb Grill and Chiekh Diong both contributed with 11 points as well.

 

For the Rams, their big three was what ultimately put them over the top. David Roddy, Isaiah Stevens, and Kendle Moore combined for 58 of the Rams 74 points with Stevens leading all scorers in the game with 25 points.

The first half was a back-and-forth game for all 20 minutes with a lot of lead changes and UNLV having the largest lead of the half at eight points at one point. They took a one point lead into halftime. The Runnin’ Rebels had a fast start coming out of the break eventually having a lead of 13 points with about nine minutes to go. Colorado State went on a 8-0 run late in the game to eventually take a one point lead into the final minute. Bryce Hamilton hit a clutch bucket with 49 seconds remaining to retake the lead for UNLV, however, it was Colorado State that held on to win after a Roddy made layup and missed shot by David Jenkins Jr.

 

The Runnin’ Rebels will look to bounce back against Colorado State on Saturday.

 

UNLV will get their chance to get back at the Rams as they will stay in Colorado and play them again on Saturday. The Runnin’ Rebels gave Colorado State a run for their money as it went down to the final shot. Although it was a game any Runnin’ Rebel player or coach would say they should have won, UNLV heavily out rebounded Colorado State and should find many positives from this game. They now will play the Rams again on Saturday after getting a taste of them already eager to get the victory before returning home for two games against New Mexico.

 

Zaon Collins update:

 

Prior to the game UNLV Runnin’ Rebels head coach TJ Otzelberger gave us an update as to the status of Zaon Collins, the prized ’21 commit. Collins charged with with driving under the influence resulting in death and one count of reckless driving by the Clark County District Attorney on Thursday morning.

 

“We have talked with the Collins family and have come to the mutual decision that it is in the best interest of everyone that Zaon focus on his other priorities and will not be joining our program. It is a tragic situation and our hearts and prayers go out to all that have been impacted.”

 

GAME NOTES:

 

 

UNLV will look to split even with the Colorado State Rams on Saturday at 1:00 on FS1.

UNLV vs Colorado State             UNLV vs Colorado State             UNLV vs Colorado State             UNLV vs Colorado State             UNLV vs Colorado State             UNLV vs Colorado State             UNLV vs Colorado State              

-Jarret Thompson – Franchise Sports Media

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